Claude-Sébastien de Villieu
Encyclopedia
Claude-Sébastien de Villieu (fl.
1674–1705) was a French military officer best known for his service in New France
. In addition to service during King William's War
, he served for a time as military governor of Acadia
.
According to his own statement, he served for fifteen years on the battlefields of Europe, beginning in 1674, before coming to New France. He participated in the defense of Quebec
when it was attacked
by New England colonists in 1690. In 1692 he married Judith Leneuf, the daughter of Michel Leneuf de La Vallière de Beaubassin
. He led French forces in the 1694 raid
on Durham, New Hampshire
, after which he was rewarded with command of Fort Nashwaak (at present-day Fredericton, New Brunswick
). He participated with Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin
in Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
's successful Siege of Pemaquid
in 1696. The ship carrying him from Pemaquid (in present-day Bristol, Maine
) was captured, and he was imprisoned in Boston
. Eventually released back to France, he returned to Acadia
, where he served as the temporary governor from July 1700 to December 1701 after the death of governor Robineau de Villebon
.
Little is known of the rest of his life. He was known to have difficult relations with his superiors, but was popular with the people in Acadia.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1674–1705) was a French military officer best known for his service in New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
. In addition to service during King William's War
King William's War
The first of the French and Indian Wars, King William's War was the name used in the English colonies in America to refer to the North American theater of the Nine Years' War...
, he served for a time as military governor of Acadia
Acadia
Acadia was the name given to lands in a portion of the French colonial empire of New France, in northeastern North America that included parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day Maine. At the end of the 16th century, France claimed territory stretching as far south as...
.
According to his own statement, he served for fifteen years on the battlefields of Europe, beginning in 1674, before coming to New France. He participated in the defense of Quebec
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
when it was attacked
Battle of Quebec (1690)
The Battle of Quebec was fought in October 1690 between the colonies of New France and Massachusetts Bay, then ruled by the kingdoms of France and England, respectively. It was the first time Quebec's defences were tested....
by New England colonists in 1690. In 1692 he married Judith Leneuf, the daughter of Michel Leneuf de La Vallière de Beaubassin
Michel Leneuf de la Vallière de Beaubassin (d. 1705)
Michel Le Neuf de la Vallière de Beaubassin was a military figure who became a governor of Acadia under French control....
. He led French forces in the 1694 raid
Raid on Oyster River
The Raid on Oyster River happened during King William's War, on July 18, 1694. The English settlement of Oyster River was attacked by French career soldier Claude-Sébastien de Villieu with about 250 Abenaki Indians from Norridgewock under command of their sagamore, Bomazeen...
on Durham, New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,664 people, 2,882 households, and 1,582 families residing in the town. The population density was 565.5 people per square mile . There were 2,923 housing units at an average density of 130.5 per square mile...
, after which he was rewarded with command of Fort Nashwaak (at present-day Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
). He participated with Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin
Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin
Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin was a French military officer serving in Acadia and an Abenaki chief. He is the father of two prominent sons who were also military leaders in Acadia, Bernard-Anselme and Joseph...
in Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] (16 July 1661 – 9 July 1702 (probable)was a soldier, ship captain, explorer, colonial administrator, knight of...
's successful Siege of Pemaquid
Siege of Pemaquid (1696)
The Siege of Pemaquid occurred during King William's War when French and Native forces from New France attacked the English settlement at Pemaquid , a community on the border with Acadia. The siege was led by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin between August...
in 1696. The ship carrying him from Pemaquid (in present-day Bristol, Maine
Bristol, Maine
Bristol is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,644 at the 2000 census. A fishing and resort area, Bristol includes the villages of New Harbor, Pemaquid, Round Pond, Bristol Mills and Chamberlain. It includes the Pemaquid Archeological Site, a U.S. National...
) was captured, and he was imprisoned in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Eventually released back to France, he returned to Acadia
Acadia
Acadia was the name given to lands in a portion of the French colonial empire of New France, in northeastern North America that included parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day Maine. At the end of the 16th century, France claimed territory stretching as far south as...
, where he served as the temporary governor from July 1700 to December 1701 after the death of governor Robineau de Villebon
Joseph Robineau de Villebon
Joseph Robineau de Villebon , a governor of Acadia, was born in New France and received much of his education and military experience in France....
.
Little is known of the rest of his life. He was known to have difficult relations with his superiors, but was popular with the people in Acadia.